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Greenpeace analyses of the man-made hazardous chemicals in consumer products, house dust, rainwater and blood add to the growing documentation that man-made chemicals are out of control, threatening our health and environment.
Substituting hazardous chemicals with safer materials is the answer for governments and industry that have failed to control the spread of dangerous chemicals around the globe.
Greenpeace is working worldwide to reduce the toxic legacy of the chemical craziness we live in – and here’s what you can do.
The world is consuming more and more electronic products every year. This has caused a dangerous explosion in electronic scrap (e-waste) containing toxic chemicals and heavy metals that cannot be disposed of or recycled safely. But this problem can be avoided. We are pressing leading electronic companies for change to turn back the toxic tide of e-waste. Get the lowdown on e-waste here.
Dioxin is one of a bunch of chemicals known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). It’s a series of seriously nasty chemicals which cause numerous defects in humans and wildlife. New Zealand has an horrific history of dioxin pollution and there are many people living with illness because of it. We want dioxin eliminated.
The amount of waste produced by humans is increasing. Therefore strong political and industrial measures are urgently needed to change this trend. Incineration is not the solution – it's part of the waste problem.
Substituting hazardous chemicals with safer materials is the answer for governments and industry that have failed to control the spread of dangerous chemicals around the globe.
Greenpeace is working worldwide to reduce the toxic legacy of the chemical craziness we live in – and here’s what you can do.
Eeek – e-waste
The world is consuming more and more electronic products every year. This has caused a dangerous explosion in electronic scrap (e-waste) containing toxic chemicals and heavy metals that cannot be disposed of or recycled safely. But this problem can be avoided. We are pressing leading electronic companies for change to turn back the toxic tide of e-waste. Get the lowdown on e-waste here.
Eliminating dioxin
Dioxin is one of a bunch of chemicals known as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). It’s a series of seriously nasty chemicals which cause numerous defects in humans and wildlife. New Zealand has an horrific history of dioxin pollution and there are many people living with illness because of it. We want dioxin eliminated.
Ending incineration
The amount of waste produced by humans is increasing. Therefore strong political and industrial measures are urgently needed to change this trend. Incineration is not the solution – it's part of the waste problem.
Go to the international website for info on:
- Toxic trade
Stricter environmental regulations in developed countries have led to many polluting industries transferring their toxic technologies to the developing world. We are fighting to ensure an end of toxic trade to regions of the world least equipped to deal with inevitable pollution and accidents, such as the Bhopal disaster in India, and ship-breaking in Asia.
- Chemicals out of control
Governments and industry have failed to control the spread of dangerous chemicals around the globe. So widespread are man-made hazardous chemicals in our environment, in our homes and in the products we use every day, that we are constantly exposed to a cocktail of chemicals. As a result, even our own bodies are contaminated.
The good news is that we now have a chance to win a global precedent, starting in Europe, which will require companies to phase out and substitute the most toxic chemicals with safer alternatives. Go to Greenpeace International to lend your support to the campaign and visit the chemical house to find out how to avoid chemicals in your home.
